Patents Assigned to EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
  • Pre-charging filters to reduce settling time
    Patent number: 9599640
    Abstract: Various arrangements for determining a voltage of a voltage source using pre-charging are presented. Such arrangements may include a measurement module which includes an analog to digital converter, a driver, and an interface. The interface may be electrically coupled with the analog to digital converter and the driver. The driver may be configured to output current to charge a capacitor. After a first predefined period of time, the driver may stop outputting current to pre-charge the capacitor. After the driver has stopped pre-charging the capacitor and a second predefined period of time has elapsed, the analog to digital converter may be configured to measure a voltage of the capacitor. Such arrangements may include a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is electrically coupled with the interface of the measurement module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jeremy Mickelsen
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for configuring a mosaic of video tiles
    Patent number: 9602881
    Abstract: Media device systems and methods are operable to generate mosaic video formats that are each configured to generate corresponding mosaic videos that present video content in video tiles. An exemplary embodiment receives a selection of one of a plurality of mosaic video templates, receives a specification of a video mosaic name, and generates a mosaic video format. The generated mosaic video format is identified by the specified video mosaic name, and comprises the video tile location information and video size information for each of the video tiles defined by the selected mosaic video template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory Greene
  • Systems and processes for efficiently storing and retrieving video content
    Patent number: 9601153
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described to improve the storage and retrieval of video content. The general concepts set forth herein could be used in any video storage system that uses disk drives to store video content, including remote or local storage digital video recorders (DVRs) and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Darren Major, John Michael Paul
  • Audio splitting with codec-enforced frame sizes
    Patent number: 9601126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for splitting the audio of media content into separate content files without introducing boundary artifacts is described. An exemplary method of streaming media content including audio and video involves a computing system receiving a plurality of content files and staging the encoded portion of the audio of the content files for presentation as a continuous stream. Each of the content files comprises an encoded portion of the video encoded according to a frame rate and having a fixed-time duration and an encoded portion of the audio encoded according to a codec-enforced frame size and having a plurality of full audio frames having the codec-enforced frame size. A duration of the encoded portion of the audio of one or more of the content files is greater than or less than the fixed-time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Calvin Ryan Owen
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for shared viewing experience using head mounted displays
    Patent number: 9602859
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to share a viewing experience of a free viewpoint format media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives the free viewpoint format media content event, receives unique geometric orientation information from each one of a plurality of head mounted displays (HMDs), determines a unique viewpoint location for each one of the plurality of HMDs based upon the geometric orientation information received from each one of the plurality of HMDs, determines a unique viewpoint area for each one of the plurality of HMDs based upon the determined unique viewpoint location, and communicates each one of the unique viewpoint areas to the associated one of the plurality of HMDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen Strong
  • APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SATELLITE SYSTEM FAST CHANNEL CHANGE
    Publication number: 20170078735
    Abstract: Fast channel change systems and methods are operable to change channels to a newly selected media content event in response to a user request. An exemplary embodiment communicates a previously stored low resolution version segment of the newly selected media content event to a presentation system while the media device is performing a tuning operation to change channels to receive a currently broadcasting high resolution version of the newly selected media content event. Once the tuning process has been completed at the media device, a handshake process is performed wherein the media device transitions presentation from the low resolution version to the high resolution version of the newly selected media content event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory Greene
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING EPISODES OF MEDIA CONTENT SERIES
    Publication number: 20170078443
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for organizing media content are provided. One method includes receiving a request, via a user interface presented to a user, to compile a requested plurality of episodes of a selected media content. The availability of the requested plurality of episodes are determined from at least two types of media content sources. The requested plurality of episodes are then compiled (e.g., recorded via a digital video recorder or located within a streaming service). A user interface is then presented to the user, including a series-order arrangement of the requested plurality of episodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher B. Tirpak
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for media content event recommendation banner
    Patent number: 9596512
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to recommend media content events with a personalized user incentive. An exemplary embodiment generates a media content event recommendation banner that is concurrently presentable with a presented electronic program guide (EPG), wherein the media content event recommendation banner includes at least one identifier of a recommended media content event and at least one personalized user incentive that is configured to be selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Carlos Garcia Navarro
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for providing content when loud background noise is present
    Patent number: 9596429
    Abstract: Media content presentation systems and methods are operable to present a media content event comprising a video portion and an associated audio portion to a user. An exemplary embodiment compares a detected level of background noise with a first background noise level threshold; increases output volume of the presented audio portion of the media content event when the level of background noise exceeds the first background noise level threshold; determines text when the level of background noise exceeds a second background noise level threshold; determines sentences from the determined text; and presents on a display the beginning portion of a current sentence in the dialog of the text when the increasing level of background noise exceeds a maximum background noise level threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Carlos Garcia Navarro
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for deleting recording timers of a media device
    Patent number: 9596503
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to manage timers that control recording of media content. An exemplary embodiment compares a retrieved stale timer criteria with a retrieved timer attribute; determines whether the timer is stale based on the comparison of the retrieved timer attribute and the stale timer criteria, wherein the timer is determined to be stale when the media content event identified by the timer will not be recorded because the media content event identified by the timer is not scheduled to be broadcast at a future date; and then automatically deletes the timer in response to determining that the timer is stale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory Greene
  • Accessing content via a matrix code
    Patent number: 9596500
    Abstract: A system for accessing content corresponding to a matrix barcode, such as a video and/or audio content. The system may include a mobile computing device in communication with a content receiver. The mobile computing device may be configured to capture the matrix barcode, for example, via using an optical component and/or barcode scanner to record and/or scan the matrix barcode. The mobile computing device may also include a network interface component configured to transmit the matrix barcode to the content receiver. The content receiver may then receive the matrix barcode from the mobile computing device. The content receiver may include a processor to determine and/or access the content corresponding to the matrix barcode. The content receiver may then transmit the content to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark H. Gomez, John T. Kennedy, Henry Gregg Martch
  • Multiple input television receiver
    Patent number: 9596428
    Abstract: Disclosure is generally directed to a television receiver with multiple inputs, some accepting a local broadcast and some accepting satellite transmissions or transmissions across another network. The television receiver may pass local transmissions through to a display in their original form and at their original frequency, while retuning the display to receive the transmission at its original frequency. The television receiver may also receive, process and provide satellite or other types of programming to the television as necessary. The output of the receiver's modulator may switch back and forth as a user changes between local broadcast and satellite channels. Further, an EPG may be provided that includes information for both programming sources in an integrated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Markus Wayne Jackson
  • Systems and methods for home automation integration with a doorbell
    Patent number: 9589430
    Abstract: Various doorbell monitoring devices and methods are presented herein. Such arrangements may be configured to be integrated with a previously-installed doorbell and a previously-installed chime unit. A first power source may be configured to power the doorbell monitor device separate from the previously-installed doorbell and the previously-installed chime unit. A plurality of electrical connectors may be present and may be configured to be attached with preexisting terminals of the previously-installed chime unit. An actuation sensor may be present and configured to detect an actuation of the previously-installed doorbell via the two or more electrical connectors. A communication module may also be present and configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the ring to a receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel Wilson, Roopkumar Parthasarathy rao
  • Communications via a receiving device network
    Patent number: 9591435
    Abstract: A receiving device system arranged to distribute voice communications includes first and second receiving devices, each having a personal area network (PAN) transceiver, a programming transceiver to receive multimedia content, and a local area network (LAN) transceiver. The second receiving device is configured to accept input data via its PAN transceiver from a communications device, initiate communications with the first receiving device via the LAN, and communicate voice data received via the second PAN transceiver to the first receiving device via the LAN. The voice data is passed to a communications device via the PAN transceiver of the first receiving device. Users associated with each of the two communications devices may carry on a voice conversation via voice data being passed through each of the two receiving devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Phuc H. Nguyen, Christopher William Bruhn
  • APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF ADDRESSABLE CONTENT
    Publication number: 20170064410
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to distribute targeted assets to a plurality of media devices. An exemplary embodiment generates an asset file defined by an asset file time period, wherein target assets are selected for saving into the asset file when the intended initial presentation time of a target asset falls within the asset file time period of the asset file that is being generated. Then, the asset file is communicated to a plurality of media devices at a time in advance of the intended initial presentation times of a target assets of the asset file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: John Grant
  • Apparatus, systems, and methods for configuring devices to accept and process remote control commands
    Patent number: 9582994
    Abstract: A particular device may configure one or more of other devices to accept and execute remote control commands from the particular device's remote control unit. This may be performed via one or more various communication links between the devices on that enables the devices to communicate with each other. For example, the remote control of a set-top box can be used to control both the set-top box and a television without a user having to specially program the set-top box or other universal remote control. One example of a communication link between the devices that enables the devices to communicate with each other is a device-to-device messaging protocol such as that provided by the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jon Richardson
  • Handling user-specific information for content during content-altering operations
    Patent number: 9582505
    Abstract: A content player receives user-specific information from different users and associates the information with content. Subsequently, the player receives a request to perform a content-altering operation. In response, the player performs the operation such that the information for the requesting user is affected, but not the information for other users. The information may include a placeholder, an indication as to whether the content and/or the entire content has been accessed, a protection status indicating whether or not the content can be deleted, and so on. The information may be added to and/or configured to accompany and/or otherwise be associated with the content. The player may identify the user so that different information for different users can be associated with the content for the respective user, such as by prompting the user to select an identifier from a list or perform a “log in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael Alexander
  • Mounting clip for set top box enclosures
    Patent number: 9585262
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a set top box enclosure having a chassis and a cover. The chassis also includes a mounting clip that facilitates the coupling of the cover to the chassis. The mounting clip includes an engagement structure on the cover that engages with a mating receiving structure located along an edge of the chassis. The mounting clip attaches a side of the cover with a side of the chassis of the set top box enclosure together and facilitates tool less engagement and disengagement of that side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven A. Nedved, Jason Matthew Fruh
  • Smartphone bluetooth headset receiver
    Patent number: 9584871
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing a user with a Smartphone to pair the Smartphone with another Bluetooth device to receive audio that is played to the user over headphones or through speakers on the Smartphone. Further, an audio processing module is used to modify the audio presented to the user, extract closed captioning text to be displayed to the user, find information relevant to the audio to be displayed to the user, and pause audio content sent to the Smartphone when phone calls or other Smartphone interruptions occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Innes, Henry Gregg Martch
  • Methods and systems for ignoring unintentional key presses
    Patent number: 9578270
    Abstract: Various arrangements are described for ignoring inadvertent remote control key presses. A remote control may detect multiple key presses associated with various commands. It may be determined whether the first key press and the second key press have occurred within a predefined threshold time period. If the key presses occurred within the threshold time period, the first command and the second command may be ignored. Additional or alternate factors may be considered in determining whether one or more key presses of the remote control should be ignored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alisson Friedrich